Jose Mourinho saw his Real Madrid team qualify for the Champions League knockout stage on Wednesday, and then vowed to support Rafael Benitez as new Chelsea manager.

Mourinho's men picked up a 1-1 draw at Manchester City, which will see them finish second in Group D behind Borussia Dortmund. For the Madrid boss, that is not a problem.

"The only two times I finished second in the group, I won the Champions League," Mourinho told Sky Sports. "I finished second with Porto, and I finished second with Inter, and won.

"The other times I finished first and did not win. It means something because second place plays the second leg away, but in principle there is little difference finishing first."

Mourinho has always had a strong link to Chelsea, ever since he delivered their first Premier League title in 2005. The Portuguese was eventually axed despite delivering two league titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups, but he still "loves" Chelsea.

Following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo one of Mourinho's old rivals at Liverpool, Benitez, has been placed in charge, and he promised to support Benitez just as he would any other Chelsea manager.

"I'm never happy when a manager is sacked," Mourinho said.

"Everybody knows I love Chelsea. I always support every Chelsea manager. In the same way I supported Roberto, I will do so for the next manager."